From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Lubrication issue with the 20 HP front hydraulic shock absorber connection.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 105\3\ scan0015 | |
| Date | 1st December 1936 | |
| To Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c.c. to Sft.{Mr Swift} c.c. to WOP. 45520 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LGLO.12.36. 20 HP. FRONT HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER CONNECTION. With reference to the complaint that on the 20 HP. the top ball of the front shock absorber connection receives too little oil and is liable to seize up under the increased loads from the hydraulic damper. We have run in France 10,000 miles with the present system of lubrication without experiencing any trouble. We do not find that a large quantity of oil has to be inserted in the connection before lubricant reaches the top ball. The total capacity of the connection (oil cannot penetrate to the inner tube) is only about .5 cu.ins. of oil, and as this is something less than 1/12 of the gun contents, it does not represent an excessive amount. There appear to be one or two factors which can cause the top ball to be starved for lubrication. If any thick grease is inserted between tubes F.54492 and F.54493 above the lubricator it may prevent oil reaching the top joint. Similarly, if the brass end piece F.5217 is not a good fit in F.51515, oil may reach the bottom joint too freely with consequent detriment to the top ball. We believe that we can improve the oil distribution with a slight modification, but in the meantime would like the TEST DEPT to ensure that the present arrangement is being used intelligently and still fails to produce satisfactory results. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||